Below is a recap of last week’s election law news and hot topics:

Republican Party wing creates 18 fake websites for Democrats by Los Angeles Times

February 7 – In anticipation of the 2014 election cycle, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) obtained hundreds of web addresses that appear to support democrats, and even provide donation forms, but contain fine print indicating that the website is hosted by the NRCC and is actually opposed to the named democrat.

If you support Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick’s bid for reelection, stay away from annkirkpatrick.com. The site might greet visitors with a welcoming photo of the Arizona congresswoman and a screaming “Kirkpatrick for Congress” logo, but that design belies its true agenda.

Democrats feud over California pension reform measure by Global Post

February 2 – California democrats feuding over the ballot title and summary written by California’s Attorney General (a democrat) for a pension reform initiative proposed by San Jose’s mayor (another democrat), who is arguing that the title and summary is bias and union-friendly.  The initiative would allow cities to renegotiate future benefits for current workers.  If the initiative succeeds it’s likely other states may follow its formula.

A campaign for a ballot initiative that would cut California’s public pension benefits and could become a model for other states has stalled as Democrats battle each other in America’s largest state.

More campaigns pit one political party against itself by Los Angeles Times

February 3 – Legislative races are beginning to pit the same party against each other.  Because districts are becoming increasingly partisan, the chance of knocking off an incumbent is more likely from someone in the same party rather than the opposing party.

The race to succeed Rep. Henry A. Waxman is emblematic of a fresh wave sweeping across California’s politics and, increasingly, the national landscape: intraparty fratricide as a means of upward political mobility.

Competitive California congressional races attract millions by Los Angeles Times

February 1 – California congressional campaigns are already generating millions of dollars in fundraising.

Highly competitive congressional races in California, attracting interest across the nation, were already drawing many millions of dollars in donations even before the election year began, according to new campaign reports. From the Bay Area to San Diego, at least nine candidates for the House of Representatives reported raising more than $1 million in 2013, reflecting the tight nature of the races.